North-East MSPs Welcome Funding for Taxi Drivers

Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin and Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson have welcomed funding from the Scottish Government to help support taxi and private hire drivers.

The move was announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and will mean eligible drivers can claim a £1,500 grant to cover fixed costs, boosting the support available to them.

A total fund of £57million has been made available which is three times more than the allocated funding in December.

Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said:

“I am delighted the Scottish Government has increased the funding available to taxi and private hire drivers. Many of these drivers in the north-east have gone above and beyond the call of duty by providing transport for key workers and taking people safely to hospital appointments.

“This substantial increase in support for them is the recognition they deserve in what has been a tough time for the industry due to the lockdown restrictions.”

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“Despite the restrictions, many fixed costs have still remained for drivers, such as general maintenance, licence plate fees, rental fees and insurance payments and the increase in funding will cover these expensive costs. “I would urge the local council to contact firms quickly to ensure they can receive the money in their account as soon as possible.”